Two volunteers with Partners in Care Foundation’s health self-management team have been honored with City Proclamations, a special award from the Los Angeles Mayor’s office, for their work helping seniors to manage chronic health conditions. Antonia Routt and Nansea Clendenen are two of Partner’s longest standing workshop leaders, teaching workshops across the city that enable people dealing with health issues such as diabetes or arthritis to better manage their condition and improve their quality of life.
Antonia, who is a member of the Health Committee for the LA County Commission for Women, first got involved in working with seniors nine years ago, when she implemented an exercise program in a city park – a program that is still running. Speaking about the award, she said, “I am floored! It was a complete surprise. I’m humbled, honored and very appreciative. I love teaching these classes and seeing people’s confidence develop. By better managing their health, and learning how to communicate with their medical team, seniors learn how to stay active and independent for longer.” Nansea agrees. “Aside from learning a lot of practical things that really help improve their health, people get a lot of their confidence back when they attend these workshops. At the end of the 6 weeks they’re happier and they want to continue and do more.”
A former environmental commodities broker, Nansea became involved with Partners in Care Foundation after going back to school to study psychology. “The dean of the school asked if I would be interested in participating in a gerontology program that was working with health self-management programs. It sounded like something that would enable me to give back to the community. It’s very satisfying to be able to help people, and they help me back, even though they don’t realize it. Knowing that I have a useful purpose helps me as much as them – it’s health management for me too! To be recognized with this City Proclamation on top of that is beyond amazing.”
For more information about health self-management classes in California please visit CA Healthier Living.
